Florio: Steelers' TJ Watt Trying To Copy "Same Play" Browns' Myles Garrett Accomplished To Get Paid

The Pittsburgh Steelers have forced the Black and Gold fan base to sit on the edge of their seats while they wait for the news to break about a contract extension with TJ Watt. Watt's final year of his current contract with the Steelers expires after the 2025 season, but after multiple other star edge rushers around the NFL were given big extensions recently, Watt is ready to be paid now. The Steelers wouldn't have wanted Watt to become a free agent next year anyhow, but the organization, oddly, doesn't seem to be in any sort of rush when it comes to signing Watt to a new contract.

Watt recently sent a cryptic message to the Steelers as he posted a picture of him holding the peace sign on his Instagram story. Watt is set to make just over $21 million in 2025 with the Steelers, but that number is now extremely low compared to other defensive play-makers. 

Myles Garrett, who initially requested to be traded away by the Cleveland Browns, wound up signing a record-breaking deal making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Garrett signed a four-year deal worth up to $160 million with the Browns. After his trade request, Garrett explained that he wasn't interested in money, but wanted to be a part of a winning team. Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby also landed a huge contract this offseason, signing a three-year $106.5 million deal. 

NFL insiders and analysts, Mike Florio and Chris Simms recently discussed Watt's frustrations. They speculated about his tactics regarding getting a new contact and how it's possibly comparing to the star over in Cleveland. 

"It's possible TJ Watt has come to the same conclusion Myles Garrett came to, or he's gonna try that same play out of the playbook," Florio said to Simms on their show. "Because it got Myles Garrett to $40 million a year." 

Simms' response to Florio's thoughts included a thorough description of how Watt seems to be more deserving of a size-able contract as opposed to Garrett. It's been an ongoing conversation in the city of Cleveland that Garrett is not a true leader as a player for the Browns. It was reported that the Browns asked Garrett to step up in that regard as they signed him to his new deal. 

"'I'm being paid half of the amount of the guy that I got drafted in the same year, I have more career sacks, I'm the all-time sack leader,'" Simms says what he believes Watt is currently thinking. "'I'm the guy that does everything right for the team. My team's not going, We'd like you to be more of a leader this year.' When you connect all of those dots, I hear TJ Watt 100 percent."

While Watt and the Steelers haven't been able to take care of business in the postseason, he is the clear-cut ultimate player and teammate a franchise wants to have. Watt has always been a true leader in Pittsburgh, but nonetheless, the Steelers are taking their time with him. 

While it doesn't seem likely that Watt would take any page from Garrett's book, it could be his last resort to getting the contract he wants with the Steelers. If the organization doesn't truly desire to offer Watt a contract like Garrett's, then Watt's recent and subtle hint that he could be getting ready to play elsewhere may be true. 

Florio also suggested that Watt could simply just be fed up with the whole quarterback debacle and is unhappy with the massive playoff struggles. Watt's recent post has struck great concern to the great fans of Pittsburgh. 

Steelers' TJ Watt Could Be Puzzled Over Situations With DK Metcalf And Aaron Rodgers

The Steelers, who now seem desperate to win just one playoff game, went out and did something the franchise had never done before by trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf and instantly making him one of the highest paid players on the team. Simms suggested that the new Metcalf deal and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position and Aaron Rodgers could have Watt frustrated. While the addition of Metcalf will be great for the offense, it's very unusual for the Steelers to pay a player who hasn't even been there for a season that much. Watt has been a loyal member of the Steelers since 2017 and has 108 career sacks. 

What are your thoughts on the Steelers' situation with Watt? Will they give him the contract that he deserves? How does this situation compare to the one in Cleveland with Garrett? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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